Lehmann warns players to beware of axing following disastrous Ashes show

Johannesburg, July 23 (ANI): Australian coach Darren Lehmann has warned his players that none of the them are safe from a possible axing following their trailing 2-0 in the Ashes after Sunday's defeat in the second test at Lord's.

According to Sport24, Ashes-holders England can clinch the five-match series when the sides next meet at Old Trafford on August 1, with the lacklustre Australians being played-out for much of the series.

Admitting that his team deserved the criticism currently coming their way, Lehmann said that he is not ruling out a possible axing of under-performing players from the squad, adding that every option is open when a side faces two back-to-back losses.

However, Lehmann said that he and the selectors Rod Marsh and John Inverarity will have to discuss the issue, adding that Nathan Lyon will be playing in the tour game against county side Sussex as Ashes debutant Ashton Agar is still a bit sore from hip and spinning finger injuries.

Stating that they will have to look at the wicket at Old Trafford given its spinning nature, Lehmann further said that they will also look at two spinners, although the report said that the fact appears unlikely with Agar being ruled out from the Sussex game and Steve Smith claiming only four wickets with his occasional leg-breaks.

Stating that Australian batsmen have proved to be very flimsy, especially with England banking three centuries in the series, two to Ian Bell and a maiden Ashes hundred to Joe Root, Lehmann also said that the players needed to be positive mentally and have fun, play decent cricket and bat longer than 90 overs against Sussex.

The report further said that Australia's tour has been marred by a series of off-field issues, including the sacking of former coach Mickey Arthur just 16 bays before the Ashes and reports of a rift between Clarke and opener Shane Watson.

However, Lehmann has told his players to stop looking for excuses, saying that they needed to accept the criticism which they deserved and get results to stop the talk and make the critics realise that the side is going the right way. (ANI)

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